Boot intended to engage with a sports article fitted with left/right identification means

ABSTRACT

Boot intended to engage with a sports article fitted with left/right identification means ( 5 ) which are recognizable by detection means, particularly a ski binding. The identification means consist of at least one piece of magnetic material, for example a permanent magnet ( 5 ), housed in the sole ( 2 ) asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal mid-axis of the boot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject of the invention is a boot intended to engage with a sports article particularly a ski, fitted with left/right identification means recognizable by detection means.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Such a boot is known from patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,108, the content of which is incorporated by reference. This is intended to engage with a binding fitted with sensors actuated in a differentiated manner by the boot, sensors acting on a mechanism comprising latches, modifying the symmetrical behavior of the binding at release in order to give it an asymmetrical behavior in such a way that its resistance at release is not the same in both directions in order to take account of the differentiated resistance of the knee to twisting in one direction and the other. The binding thus fits automatically to the boot for the left foot as and for the right foot. The identification means with which the boot is provided consist of a boot part of particular asymmetrical shape acting mechanically on the sensors. In one embodiment, the identification means consist of an optical mark sensed by photoelectric means acting on the latches via an electronic control unit and two electromagnets.

[0003] Technical identification means require a modification to the shape of the boot, particularly its front curb, that is to say the manufacture of a new mold. As regards the optical marks, these may become illegible by snow, dirt or obliteration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the invention to enable any boot, especially a ski boot, to be easily fitted, even by the retailer, with an identification means that can be reliably identified under all circumstances by the sport article, particular a ski binding.

[0005] The boot according to the invention is one in which the identification means consist of at least one piece of magnetic material housed in the sole asymmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal mid-axis of the boot.

[0006] This piece of magnetic material may be housed in a hole formed laterally in the thickness of the sole and closed by a screwed plug so as to be able to replace the piece of magnetic material. This operation can easily be performed by a retailer on a conventional boot.

[0007] In the case of a boot made of injection-molded plastic, the piece of magnetic material can be inserted into the sole during the injection molding.

[0008] Neither wear, nor dirt, nor snow can interfere with detecting the presence of the piece of magnetic material. This is furthermore completely sealed and protected.

[0009] Another advantage of the boot according to the invention is that it is capable of directly actuating mechanical means for positioning a ski binding.

[0010] The magnetic material may be a permanent magnet acting on a piece of the sports article which is made of magnetic material or a hard or soft ferromagnetic material or else a ferrimagnetic material interacting with a permanent magnet with which the sports article, for example a ski binding, is provided.

[0011] The sports boot could be a boot intended to be used with another sports article, such as a bicycle or surfboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The appended drawing shows, by way of example, one embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side view of the front part of a ski boot.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view in which may be seen, in cut away, the piece of magnetic material in its housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0015] The figures show the front part of a shell 1 of a ski boot comprising a sole 2 provided with a front curb 3 for fastening it by means of a stop of a ski binding. Formed in the thickness of the sole 2, parallel to the plane of this sole, is a blind hole 4 located in the left half of the boot, that is to say asymmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal mid-axis X of the boot. Housed in the hole 4 is a permanent magnet 5, which is held in the hole by a plug 6 screwed into the hole 4.

[0016] The permanent magnet 5 can be detected purely magnetically by directly actuating a moveable piece which is made of ferromagnetic material or is provided with a permanent magnet.

[0017] The magnet may be placed at a different point in the sole from the point shown. In general, the magnet will be positioned depending on the position of the binding member that has to detect it.

[0018] The boot could be fitted with more than one magnet, for example, in the case of a ski boot, with a magnet at the front for actuating a front binding element and with a second magnet at the rear for actuating a rear binding element.

[0019] As a variant, the permanent magnet 5 could be replaced with a piece of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material interacting with a permanent magnet mounted in the ski binding, for example on a moveable part of the binding.

[0020] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A boot intended to engage with a sports article fitted with left/right identification means (5) which are recognizable by detection means, wherein the identification means consist of at least one piece of magnetic material (5) housed in the sole (2) asymmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing trough the longitudinal mid-axis of the boot.
 2. The boot as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the piece of magnetic material (5) is housed in a hole (4) formed laterally in the thickness of the sole and closed by a screwed plus (6).
 3. The boot as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the piece of magnetic material is a permanent magnet.
 4. The boot as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the piece of magnetic material is ferromagnetic. 